5 planets align tonight and could be visible from Mississauga, Brampton, Hamilton and beyond

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Published March 27, 2023 at 9:38 am

5 planets align
Photo by Roberto Nickson

Five planets — Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Uranus and Mars — will align forming a kind of parade in the night sky.

The planets will align with the moon (now in a crescent) tonight, March 27, according to Space.com. Other reports indicate the celestial parade could also be on view Tuesday (March 28) night as well.

The planets’ orbits put them in this alignment and it is a rare chance to see all five at the same time. This phenomenon can be seen from anywhere on Earth, as long as you have clear skies and a view of the west.

After a rainy Monday, Environment Canada is predicting partly cloudy skies tonight, which could make it more difficult to view five planets.

It’s also important to get away from tall buildings — a lakeside location facing west could be the best bet.

“Make sure you do not have any tall objects — buildings or trees — in that direction,” space.com notes. “Your best option is looking out over a westward-facing shoreline that is perfectly flat and wide open with nothing to block your view.”

The planets Mercury and Jupiter aren’t easy to see but could come into view approximately 20 to 25 minutes after sunset, according to space.com. They will dip below the horizon around half an hour after sunset.

Mercury and Jupiter will be separated by just 1.3 degrees (just over one-finger width at arm’s length.)

Venus, also known as the evening star, is the most visible of the five planets.

Mars will be at the moon’s upper left. It has an orange or reddish glow.

Uranus might be the most difficult to see — tonight it will be about three degrees — roughly equal to one-third of the width of your clenched fist held at arm’s length — to the upper left of Venus. Uranus has a greenish glow.

Those hoping to view the planets will need binoculars or a telescope.

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